RED faced council officials were forced to cut short a specially organised wheelchair ramble along a countryside footpath – because it was not wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

The trek, which was organised as part of a series of guided countryside walks for the less able bodied and wheelchair users, took place along the Lôn Goed in Chwilog.

But the event had to be called off 500 yards into the ramble after the party came across a kissing gate that was too narrow to let wheelchairs fit through, forcing the group to turn back and call off the remainder of the hike.

Gwynedd Council has apologised for the incident saying the gate was “more of an obstacle than anticipated” and has urged wheelchair users not to let the incident stop them from joining future events.

However, Abererch councillor Peter Read, who took part in the failed ramble, branded it “sheer incompetence” and said that despite complaining about the situation and asking for answers as to why this was allowed to happen, he is still to receive a reply.

He said: “It’s things like this that really get under my skin.

“There’s an old saying that goes ‘I’m not disabled, it’s people like you putting obstacles in my way that makes me disabled’ and that is exactly what I was feeling at the time.

“I was really looking forward to going along the Lon Goed again, it was one of those things I have wanted to do with the kids since I became dependant on a wheelchair, and I was speaking to a woman who had travelled all the way from Abergele to take part in the ramble.

“I was riding in an electric buggy and 500 yards into the ramble, we came across this kissing gate and the buggy couldn’t fit through.

“I was very disappointed and I can’t understand how this had happened, it was very insensitive.

“If somebody had just walked the route with a stick held horizontally they would have been able to tell straight away how adequate for wheelchairs the path was.

“I just find it incredible, how this was allowed to happen I don’t know and I’m determined not to let this lie.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “Gwynedd Council is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible have access to our beautiful countryside.

“During June 2010 Gwynedd Council’s Environmental Service took part in a joint project with other local authorities and conservation organisations in North West Wales to provide disabled people and wheelchair users with the opportunity to experience outdoor activities that would not normally be open to them.

“This scheme has been operating successfully for 10 years.

“The ramble along Lôn Goed in Eifionydd started at the Chwilog entrance and those taking part proceeded 1km down the track to Capel Engedi where the group came across a particular gate that proved to be more of an obstacle than anticipated as one of the electric buggies could not pass through the gate.

“Unfortunately, as a result, the event had to be cut short.

“We hope that this incident will not put off any wheelchair users from joining one of our future events and we will of course be contacting Councillor Read, and the other participant, to sincerely apologise once again.